Labeling machine



Feb. 12, 1.924, l,483,i81

J. A. KEYES LABELING MACHINE Filed Novlzo. 1922 4 sheeiis-sheet 1 IN V EN TOR A TTORNE Y Feb. 12 1924;

J. A. KEYES LABELING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W Awqa BY.

I ATTORNEY Feb. 12 1924.

J. A. KEYES LABELING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BY W. W

ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1924. 1,483,181

J. A. KEYES LABELING MACHINE Filed No 20. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Feb. 12, 1924.

tiNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. KEYES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LABELING MACHINE.

Application filed November 20, 1922. Serial No. 601,988.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. Knrns, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Labeling Machines, of which the following is a. specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the same.

A principal object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus for detaching labels from label strips and fixing such detached labels on packages.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for tearing a label from a label strip commencing said tear at out edge of th: label strip and continuing it to the other edge until the label is detached.

Another object of my invention is to maintain the label strip in a substantially even plane to facilitate the tearing operation.

Another object of my invention is to move the label being detached from the strip at a slightly greater speed than the remainder of the label strip.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from a reading of this specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a labeling ma cine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of my feeding device;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of. the feeding rolls in a different position and with the label about to be detached in bowed position;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of my feeding device showing a label in process of being torn from the label strip; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation showing the gearing arrangement of the feeding rollers.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which similar characters refer to similar parts throughout, 7 represents the frame of a labeling machine, 8 is the paste-pot, 9 the paste-roll revolving in the paste-pot, 10 the paste-roll which takes its supply from the paste-roll 9 and transmits it to the package 11. The paste-roll 10 is revolubly mounted on an arm 12 which operates on the swivel 13. This arm 12 is provided at its other end with a lug 14 which is connected by the tension spring 15 to the rock shaft 16. The pasting mechanism just described is a conventional one and forms no part of the invention for which a patent is now sought, but is shown and described for the purpose of making clear the use of my invention in connection with one type of pasting mechanism.

Mounted in the machine and in line with the travel of the label strip 17 1s the label feeding and detaching mechanism of my machine. For this purpose I provide the trough 18 in which is swivelly mounted the eccentric 19 which rests upon the label 17 as shown in dotted lin's in Fig. 1, to prevent the backward movement of the label strip when it is out of frictional contact with the feeding rolls, at the same time permitting the free forward movement of the label under the operation of the feeding rolls.

In my machine there are two sets of fe ding rolls provided one of which I will denominate the primary rolls which are the first rolls to operate on the label strip and the other of which I will denominate the secondary rolls which are the second set of rolls to operate on the label strip. The primary rolls consist of the rolls 20 and 21 which are geared together at one of their ends by the gears 22 and 23 respectively. The roll 20 is provided with a recess 24 segmentally thereof resulting in the formation of the cam 25. The roll 20 at one edge is provided with a segmental projection 26 which is adapted in coopera tion with the roll 21 to frictionally engage the label strip 17 at one edge thereof, the label strip being out of frictional contact with the said rolls on the remainder of their surfaces; the said surfaces of said rolls, however, being close enough to each other at their nearest points to maintain the label strip in a substantially even plane and thus prevent the same from wrinkling. A transmission gear 27 is provided for engage-- ment with the primary and secondary rolls, the said gear being immediately in engagement with the gear 22 of the primary roll 20 and the gear 28 on the secondary roll 29. The secondary roll 29 is provided with a circumferential recess 30. This roll 29 is of larger. diameter than the diameter of the primary roll 20 although the gears 22 on the primary roll 20 and 28 on the secondary roll 29 are of the same size, which results in the surface of the secondary roll 29 travelling at a greater speed than the surface of the primary roll 20. The secondary roll 31 is provided With a pinion 31' which is in mesh with the gear 28 of the secondary roll 29. The secondary roll 31 is preferably made of relatively small diameter and the upper surface thereof is in substantial alignment with the bottom of the guide 17 to facilitate the travel of the label on its way to the package to which itis to be attached.

Swivelled in the machine is a linger 32 which is preferably spring-pressed downward. This finger 32 is provided with a bowed surface at one end of which the projection 35 adapted to fall into the recess .36. This finger being spring-pressed. is controlled in its upward and downward movement by the cam 25 which is properly timed for the function of the said tinger. In the present construction the finger 32 is located so as to operate in the Cil'CllIllfQl'011 tial recess of the secondary roll 29 which recess is made for thatpurpose.

A presser-foot 37 is provided which is mounted on the reciprocating support 38 bracketed in the frame of the machine in the bracket 39. The reciprocating movement of this presser-foot support is con trolled by the rock-shaft A) on which is keyed the segment 41 having the teeth 4:2 which cooperate with the teeth 43 of the presser-foot support 3b. The presser-foo: 37 is provided with a recess it through which is suspended the gripper i5 hingedly mounted on the arm to which in turn is hingedly mounted by the hinge 47 which is spring-pressed downward by the spring 33. The gripper 45 is normally tension held b the spring 48 in the position shown in 1* igs. 1 and (5. This gripper is step-formed at its base and is provided with an extension 49 adapted to be engaged by the package carrier 50. The step of the gripper is so formed as to provide an angle 51 for engagement witn the label on the package. The gripper is also provided with an adjusting screw 52 for controlling the position of the angle 51 of the gripper on the label when in operation.

The operation of my device is as follows: A label strip 17 is fed from a roll. not shown, along the guide 18 under the label strip holder 19 to the feed rolls of the machine. The label strip holder it) prevents the falling back of the label-strip when not frictionally engaged by the feed rolls. The label strip is first fed into the machine until it is brought into contact with the stop 3-) as shown in Fig. 3. In the revolution of the primary roll 20 the projecting segment thereof 26 engages the label strip and bows the label to be detached therefrom as shown in Fig. 4. As the primary roll 20 continues in its revolution the finger 32 rides on the cam 25 of the primary roll 20 raising the stop 35 out of the path of the label strip and the label strip is thereupon gripped between the segmental projection 29 of the secondary feed roll 29 and the secondary feed roll 81. At this point the label strip is engaged by the primary rolls and secondary rolls. the primary rolls engaging the same marginally at one side and the secondary rolls engaging the same on both sides, so, it will be seen, that the secondary rolls grip the label at both sides. The diameter of the secondary roll 29 being larger than the primary roll 20, and both said rolls having an equal gearing ratio, the surface of the secondary roll 2%) is greater than the primary roll 20 and consequently travels with greater rapidity than the primary roll 20. The label being only marginally held by the primary rolls and held on both sides by the secondary rolls, and the surface of the secondary rolls travelling at greater speed than the surface of the primary rolls, it will be seen that a strain will be exerted on the label strip at the side where the marginal edge is held by both the primary and secondary rolls resulting in the tearing of the label from one side thereof to the other. A label having been detached from the label strip in this manner. such detached label will continue in its travel through the secondary rolls and be delivered upon the package in the, carrier which is in position to receive the same. (See Figs. 1. 3. 4. 3 and 6, where the label is shown in position on the package it.) While this operation is in progress the primary rolls continue in operation with the linger 32 being controlled by the cam 2.3 and the linger again assumes the initial position shown in Figs. 3 and t where the stop 35 has entered the recess 36 where it will hold back the label strip in the same manner as in the case of the label which has just been detached.

Prior to the package to be labeled being in position to receive the label, in the construction shown. the same is given a coat of paste or other securing medium which is here shown to be eti'ected by the rocking of the shaft 10 which carries the roller 10 which takes paste from the paste-roll in the pot S which roller it) is then swung to the package in the carrier in the position shown by C in Fig. l. The carrier is then intermittentlv moved to the position shown by the carrier l in Fig. 1. receiving in such movement the label which has just been torn from the label strip.

The rock shaft 40 carrying the segment 41. having the teeth 12 operates on the rack 43 bringing down the presser-foot support i-lb' and the presser-foot 37, and the gripper 45 also descends through the influence of the pressure spring controlling the downward movement of the arm 46 to which the gripper 45 is swivelled. The presser-foot continues in its downward motion until it loo llo

presses upon the label which has just been applied on the package in the carrier B, and the gripper 45 continues in its downward motion until the bearing surface formed on the extension 49 comes in contact with the carrier when it is moved outwardly by the influence thereof and the angle 51 of the gripper assumes a gripping contact with the label on the package in B as shown in Fig. 4. The presser-foot 37 is then raised by the upward movement of the segment4l and upon coming in contact with the gripper arm 46 raises the same to the position shown in Fig. 1, and the carrier wheel 55 is intermittently moved another station so that the carrier G in Fig. 1 assumes the 7 position therein shown for carrier B.

The drive-shaft of the machine is shown as '56 on which is keyed the driving sprocket wheel 57which is connected to any suitable source of power. On this driving shaft 56 is carried the primary feed-roll 21, and the gear wheel 23 which turn with the shaft 56. The shaft 58 carries the secondary feed-roll 29 and the gear 28 both of which are keyed thereon to revolve together. The gears 22 and 28 are connected by the transmission gear 27 so that the turning of the shaft "56 imparts motion to both the primary and secondary feed-rolls.

The apparatus used for rocking the shaft 16 and the'shaft 40 and also for intermittently rotating the carrier-wheel 55 is not described as the same do not constitute parts of the invention for which a patent is now sought.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiment of my invention. I do not wish to be limited, however, to the embodiment shown and described, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims:

1. The method of detaching a label from a label strip which consists of maintaining a portion of the label strip on both sides of the line of detachment in a substantially even plane, holding one marginal edge only of the label strip on one side of the line of detachmentof the label fromthe label strip, holding the label to be detached on the other side of the line of detachment, and straining the label strip between the holding points until the label is parted from the strip.

2. The method of detaching a label from a label strip which consists of maintaining a portion of the label strip on both sides of the line of detachment in a substantially even plane holding the marginal edge of the label strip on one side of the line of detachment of the label from the label strip, holding the label to be detached on the other side of the line of detachment. and straining the label stri between the holding points until the label is parted from the strip, such parting progressing from one edge of the strip to the other.

3. In a labeling machine, primary rolls and secondary rolls, means for operating said rolls in unison, a segmental projection on one of said primary rolls and a segmental projection on one of said secondary rolls, the segmental projection on the primary roll extending over a portion only of the lateral surface of said roll and being adapted thereby to frictionally contact with a label strip being fed through the machine at one marginal edge only of said strip; said primary rolls being out of frictional contact with the remainder of said label Stl'lp being passed therebetween, yet close enough to each other to maintain the label strip in a substantially even plane; the segment on said secondary roll extending substantially across the lateral surface thereof, said secondary segmental roll being of larger diameter than the said segmental primary roll.

4. In a labeling machine, primary rolls and secondary rolls, means for operat ng said rolls in unison, a segmental pro ection on one of said primary rolls and a segmental projection on one of said secondary rolls, the segmental projection on the primary roll extending over a portion only of the lateral surface of said roll and being adapted thereby to frictionally contact with a label strip being fed through the mach ne at one marginal edge only of said strip. said primary rolls being out of frictional contact with the remainder of said label strip being passed therebetween. yet close enough to each other to manitain the label strip in a substantially even plane: the segment on said secondary roll extending substantially across the lateral surface thereof, said secondary segmental roll being of larger diameter than the said segmental primary roll; said primary segmental roll being pro vided with a recess therein so as to form a cam in said roll, the secondary segmental roll being provided with circumferential recess therein, and a finger embodying a label stop hingedly mounted and adapted to ride on the said cam and move within the circumference of the secondary segmental roll in the recess thereof.

5. In a labeling machine, primary rolls and secondary rolls, means for operating said rolls in unison, a segmental projection on one of said primary rolls and a segmental projection on one of said secondary rolls, the segmental projection on the primary roll extending over a portion only of the lateral surface of said roll and being adapted thereby to frictionally contact with a label strip being fed through the machine at one marginal edge only of said strip, said primary rolls being out of frictional contact with the remainder of said label strip being passed therebetween, yet close enough to ride on the said cam and move within the circumference of the secondary segmental roll in the recess thereof. said finger being positively held against the said cam.

6. In a labeling machine. a finger and a cam. the said finger being adapted to be positively held against said cam and to ride thereon, said finger being provided with a stop adapted to be inserted in the path of a travelling label strip, said finger having an upwardly extending surface from said stop and being adapted to bow a portion of the label strip therein.

7. In a labeling machine. a gripper bar springably hinged at one end to press thesame forward, a gripper hinged at the other end thereof, a travelling package carrier, said gripper being adapted to contact with Said package carrier and be moved a limited distance therewith, and means for moving the said gripper out of contact with said package carrier.

8. In a labeling machine, a gripper bar springably hinged at one end to press the same forward, a gripper hinged at the other end thereof, a travelling package carrier, said gripper being adapted to contact with said package carrier and be moved a limited distance therewith, and means for moving the said gripper out of contact with said package carrier, said gripper being provided with means for adjusting its contacting position with said package carrier.

9. In a labeling machine, a pair of rolls adapted to rotate in cooperation with each other, one of said rolls being provided with a segmental'projection for a portion of the marginal surface only thereof and adapted to frictionally engage a medium passing between said segmental portion and the other roll, and being out of frictional contact with such medium in the remainder of their surfaces.

10. In a labeling machine, a pair of rolls adapted to rotate in cooperation with each other, one of said rolls being provided with a segmental projection for a portion of the marginal surface only thereof and adapted to frictionally engage a medium passing between said segmental portion and the other roll, and being out of frictional contact with such medium in the remainder of their surfaces, a second pair of rolls, one of said rolls being provided with a segmental projection laterally thereof and adapted in cooperation with the other of said second rolls to frictionally contact with a medium passing therethrough for the distance of the segmental surface, and be out of frictional contact with said medium on the remainder of their surfaces, the second segmental roll being of larger diameter than the first mentioned segmental roll, and transmission means connecting said rolls and adapted to rotate the same in the same direction at substantially the same speed so that the surface of the second segmental roll will have a greater speed than the surface of the first mentioned segmental roll.

JAMES A. KEYES. 

